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Key moments and achievements from Mike Vernon's life.
Mike was born
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Career Start
Mike Vernon began his professional journey in the music industry in 1963 when he joined Decca Records in London. At Decca, he quickly immersed himself in blues recording and production, laying the foundation for a career that would span over six decades and shape the sound of British blues.
Career Start
Mike Vernon began his professional journey in the music industry in 1963 when he joined Decca Records in London. At Decca, he quickly immersed himself in blues recording and production, laying the foundation for a career that would span over six decades and shape the sound of British blues.
Founded Label
In 1965, Vernon co-founded Blue Horizon Records, the independent label that became synonymous with the British blues boom. Through Blue Horizon, he signed and produced the early incarnation of Fleetwood Mac led by Peter Green, as well as acts like Chicken Shack and Savoy Brown, creating a home for authentic British blues.
Founded Label
In 1965, Vernon co-founded Blue Horizon Records, the independent label that became synonymous with the British blues boom. Through Blue Horizon, he signed and produced the early incarnation of Fleetwood Mac led by Peter Green, as well as acts like Chicken Shack and Savoy Brown, creating a home for authentic British blues.
Landmark Recording
At just 22 years old, Vernon produced Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers in 1966. This landmark album helped establish the sound of British blues-rock and cemented Eric Clapton's reputation as a major guitar figure. It is widely regarded as one of the most important blues albums ever recorded in Britain.
Landmark Recording
At just 22 years old, Vernon produced Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers in 1966. This landmark album helped establish the sound of British blues-rock and cemented Eric Clapton's reputation as a major guitar figure. It is widely regarded as one of the most important blues albums ever recorded in Britain.
Hit Record
When Peter Green left John Mayall's band to form Fleetwood Mac in 1967, he enlisted Vernon as producer. Their collaboration yielded the eponymous 1968 debut album and the chart-topping instrumental single Albatross, which sold over a million copies and reached No. 1 in the UK.
Hit Record
When Peter Green left John Mayall's band to form Fleetwood Mac in 1967, he enlisted Vernon as producer. Their collaboration yielded the eponymous 1968 debut album and the chart-topping instrumental single Albatross, which sold over a million copies and reached No. 1 in the UK.
Career Achievement
In the 1980s, Vernon continued to evolve, producing records for Level 42 and Dexys Midnight Runners among many other artists. His ability to adapt to changing musical styles while maintaining production excellence demonstrated a rare versatility that kept him relevant across multiple decades of popular music.
Career Achievement
In the 1980s, Vernon continued to evolve, producing records for Level 42 and Dexys Midnight Runners among many other artists. His ability to adapt to changing musical styles while maintaining production excellence demonstrated a rare versatility that kept him relevant across multiple decades of popular music.
Career Revival
In 2010, Vernon returned to active production after a period of semi-retirement, lending his legendary expertise to a new generation of blues artists including Oli Brown, Dani Wilde, and Sari Schorr. His mentorship helped carry the British blues tradition forward to contemporary audiences.
Career Revival
In 2010, Vernon returned to active production after a period of semi-retirement, lending his legendary expertise to a new generation of blues artists including Oli Brown, Dani Wilde, and Sari Schorr. His mentorship helped carry the British blues tradition forward to contemporary audiences.
Royal Honor
In 2020, Mike Vernon was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to music. The honor recognized his extraordinary six-decade contribution to British blues and popular music, spanning from the 1960s blues boom through to mentoring 21st-century artists.
Royal Honor
In 2020, Mike Vernon was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to music. The honor recognized his extraordinary six-decade contribution to British blues and popular music, spanning from the 1960s blues boom through to mentoring 21st-century artists.
In 1967, English record producer Mike Vernon occupied a pivotal position at Decca's Deram subsidiary, where he produced David Bowie's self-titled debut album — recorded between November 1966 and March 1967 and released on 1 June 1967. That same year Vernon also produced the self-titled debut album for Ten Years After, helping to establish the British blues-rock band's recording career. Vernon was already known for his work championing the British blues scene, having produced recordings for John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and the early Fleetwood Mac, and he had co-founded the influential Blue Horizon Records label. His ability to work across blues, rock, and pop styles in a single year demonstrated the breadth of his production talent during one of British music's most creative periods.
In 1967, English record producer Mike Vernon occupied a pivotal position at Decca's Deram subsidiary, where he produced David Bowie's self-titled debut album — recorded between November 1966 and March 1967 and released on 1 June 1967. That same year Vernon also produced the self-titled debut album for Ten Years After, helping to establish the British blues-rock band's recording career. Vernon was already known for his work championing the British blues scene, having produced recordings for John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and the early Fleetwood Mac, and he had co-founded the influential Blue Horizon Records label. His ability to work across blues, rock, and pop styles in a single year demonstrated the breadth of his production talent during one of British music's most creative periods.
Mike Vernon passed away
